9 ways companies can start to repay their natural debt

If you think the global debt crisis is sobering, what would happen if businesses were asked to pay for the estimated $72 trillion in natural resources that the United Nations figures they use for free? A group of 24 powerful companies that collectively generate more than $500 billion in annual revenue isn't waiting around for the answer. Building on a challenge issued last October at the Clinton Global Initiative , they are taking proactive steps to repay their debt to the planet. These actions are part of an overall business strategy. One example of this mindset comes from General Motors, which disclosed Tuesday that 100 of its facilities are now landfill-free . In 2011, the company recycled or reused about 2.6 million metric tons, or about 38 million trash bags full of garbage. "Our landfill-free program continues to strengthen our business by creating efficiencies, gene...